Library of Congress

One of my goals for vacation was to get a reader card for the Library of Congress. Guess what? I got one. And so did my daughter.

Here's the ceiling of the Reading Room.

Here's the Reading Room.

I'm perusing the second story stacks, which were amazing. I saw lots of books I could use in my novel research.

My daughter loved it and said, "I could live here."

This is one of the public areas of the Library of Congress.

After visiting, I have to say that the LoC is the most amazing library that I have ever visited. I thought it would be great, but it was better. 

If you're planning a visit, you don't have to have a reader card. You can get a lovely tour and even see into the reading room. If you do want a reading card, you have to apply at the James Madison building. And you have to give a reason for needing a card, they don't issue them for souvenir purposes. 

And now, back to real life.

The Ultimate Reader's Prize

Vacation is coming up soon. And we’ll be near Washington, D.C. We’ve visited DC several times before—there’s so much to see and most of it is free, which is important when you have six people in the family. There are some places we always revisit like the National Gallery—where else can you see a Da Vinci in the US? And we still have a list of places we’ve never visited like the National Zoo.

But there’s one more place I’ve got on my itinerary. And one more thing I want. I want to go to the Library of Congress and get a library card (actually it’s called a reader card, but we won’t quibble over titles). I’ve always wanted a card to the Library of Congress. I don’t know why. But to a reader and writer like me, it seems like the ultimate prize. To have a bit of plastic that allows me access to one of the greatest libraries of our time.

I’ve done the research. I know where to apply (Rm LM 140 of the Madison Building), what identification is necessary (driver’s license/state id/passport), and what paperwork is needed (computer-based questionnaire).

What will I do with the card? I’ll look at some books, maybe do a bit or research. After that, I’ll probably just carry it around in my wallet for two years. That’s how long they last. And I’ll carry even after it expires like a talisman.

Now if only I could get a card to the library at Alexandria…but it’s too late for that.